Exit Polls Predict Tight Race in Maharashtra and NDA Edge in Jharkhand

New Delhi, November 21: Exit polls following the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections suggest contrasting outcomes in the two states. While the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra is projected to retain power despite a strong showing by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is predicted to gain an edge in Jharkhand.

Maharashtra: Mahayuti Holds the Advantage

In Maharashtra, exit polls indicate a keen contest between the Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)—and the MVA coalition of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

Key projections include:

• P-MARQ: Mahayuti 137-157 seats, MVA 126-147 seats, Others 2-8 seats.
• Matrize: Mahayuti 150-170 seats, MVA 110-130 seats, Others 8-10 seats.
• Chanakya Strategies: Mahayuti 152-160 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, Others 6-8 seats.
• Peoples Pulse: Mahayuti 175-195 seats, MVA 85-112 seats, Others 7-12 seats.

The majority mark in Maharashtra’s 288-member assembly is 145 seats. While some polls suggest the MVA might approach this threshold, Mahayuti remains favored to retain power.

This election marks the first major assembly poll since the Shiv Sena and NCP split into rival factions. Campaigns were marked by high-profile rallies featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president JP Nadda for Mahayuti, while Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi led the MVA effort.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde highlighted welfare schemes like the Ladki Behin Yojana, while Uddhav Thackeray sought to reclaim Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy. Ajit Pawar’s split with Sharad Pawar added another dimension to the election’s intense political drama.

Jharkhand: NDA Poised to Replace JMM

In Jharkhand, exit polls hint at the BJP-led NDA ousting the JMM-led alliance, though some suggest a closer fight. The NDA includes BJP, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while the JMM-led alliance features Congress, RJD, and CPI (ML).

Key projections include:

• Chanakya Strategies: NDA 45-50 seats, JMM alliance 35-38 seats, Others 3-5 seats.
• Peoples Pulse: NDA 44-53 seats, JMM alliance 25-37 seats, Others 5-9 seats.
• Matrize: NDA 42-47 seats, JMM alliance 25-30 seats, Others 1-4 seats.
• Times Now-JVC: NDA 40-44 seats, JMM alliance 30-40 seats, Others 1 seat.
• My Axis: JMM alliance 53 seats, NDA 25 seats, Others 3 seats.

Jharkhand witnessed a high voter turnout, with 67.59% recorded in the second phase on Wednesday. Campaigns by PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Hemant Soren focused on key voter concerns, including development and tribal rights.

Results Awaited

Votes from both states will be counted on November 23, alongside bypolls in several other constituencies across India. With high stakes for all major parties, the final results will shape the political narrative heading into 2024.